[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5502 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5502
To improve the academic competitiveness of students in the United
States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 25, 2006
Miss McMorris introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the academic competitiveness of students in the United
States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening America's Innovation
and Competitiveness Act''.
SEC. 2. ADVANCED PLACEMENT TEACHER PREPARATION.
(a) State Grants.--Section 202(d) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022(d)) is amended by adding at the end of the
subsection the following new paragraph:
``(8) Advanced placement.--Implementing strategies to
increase the number of teachers qualified to teach advanced
placement and pre-advanced placement courses in mathematics,
science, and critical foreign languages, and other strategies
to increase the availability of those courses, particularly for
low-income students.''.
(b) Partnership Grants.--Section 203(e) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1023(e)) is amended by adding at the end of the
subsection the following new paragraph:
``(5) Advanced placement.--Implementing strategies to
increase the number of teachers qualified to teach advanced
placement and pre-advanced placement courses in mathematics,
science, and critical foreign languages, and other strategies
to increase the availability of those courses, particularly for
low-income students.''.
(c) Definition.--Section 201(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1021(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Critical foreign language.--The term `critical
foreign language' includes the languages of Arabic, Korean,
Japanese, Chinese, Pashto, Persian-Farsi, Serbian-Croatian,
Russian, Portuguese, and any other language identified by the
Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Defense
Language Institute, the Foreign Service Institute, and the
National Security Education Program, as a critical foreign
language need.''.
SEC. 3. ROBERT C. BYRD HONORS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
Subpart 6 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1070d-31 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:
``Subpart 6--Robert C. Byrd American Competitiveness Program
``SEC. 419A. ROBERT C. BYRD MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE HONORS SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to award
scholarships to students who are enrolled in studies leading to
baccalaureate and advanced degrees in physical, life, or computer
sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
``(b) Definitions.--As used in this section--
``(1) the term `computer science' means the branch of
knowledge or study of computers, including such fields of
knowledge or study as computer hardware, computer software,
computer engineering, information systems, and robotics;
``(2) the term `critical foreign language' includes the
languages of Arabic, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Pashto,
Persian-Farsi, Serbian-Croatian, Russian, Portuguese, and any
other language identified by the Secretary of Education, in
consultation with the Defense Language Institute, the Foreign
Service Institute, and the National Security Education Program,
as a critical foreign language need;
``(3) the term `eligible student' means a student who--
``(A) is a citizen of the United States;
``(B) is selected by the managing agent to receive
a scholarship;
``(C) is enrolled full-time in an institution of
higher education, other than a United States service
academy; and
``(D) has shown a commitment to and is pursuing a
major in studies leading to a baccalaureate, masters,
or doctoral degree (or a combination thereof) in
physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or
engineering;
``(4) the term `engineering' means the science by which the
properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are
made useful to humanity in structures, machines, and products,
as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines,
and chemical plants, including such fields of knowledge or
study as aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, civil
engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering,
materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, and
mechanical engineering;
``(5) the term `life sciences' means the branch of
knowledge or study of living things, including such fields of
knowledge or study as biology, biochemistry, biophysics,
microbiology, genetics, physiology, botany, zoology, ecology,
and behavioral biology, except that the term does not encompass
social psychology or the health professions;
``(6) the term `managing agent' means an entity to which an
award is made under subsection (c) to manage a program of
Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarships;
``(7) the term `mathematics' means the branch of knowledge
or study of numbers and the systematic treatment of magnitude,
relationships between figures and forms, and relations between
quantities expressed symbolically, including such fields of
knowledge or study as statistics, applied mathematics, and
operations research; and
``(8) the term `physical sciences' means the branch of
knowledge or study of the material universe, including such
fields of knowledge or study as astronomy, atmospheric
sciences, chemistry, earth sciences, ocean sciences, physics,
and planetary sciences.
``(c) Award.--
``(1)(A) From funds authorized under section 419F to carry
out this section, the Secretary is authorized, through a grant
or cooperative agreement, to make an award to a private, non-
profit organization, other than an institution of higher
education or system of institutions of higher education, to
manage, through a public and private partnership, a program of
Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarships under this section.
``(B) The award under subparagraph (A) shall be for a five-
year period.
``(2)(A) One hundred percent of the funds awarded under
paragraph (1)(A) for any fiscal year shall be obligated and
expended solely on scholarships to eligible students.
``(B) No Federal funds shall be used to provide more than
50 percent of the cost of any scholarship to an eligible
student.
``(C) The maximum scholarship award shall be the difference
between an eligible student's cost of attendance minus any non-
loan based aid such student receives.
``(3)(A) The secretary may establish--
``(i) eligibility criteria for applicants for
managing agent, including criteria regarding financial
and administrative capability; and
``(ii) operational standards for the managing
agent, including management and performance
requirements, such as audit, recordkeeping, record
retention, and reporting procedures and requirements.
``(B) The Secretary, as necessary, may review and revise
any criteria, standards, and rules established under this
paragraph and, through the agreement with the managing agent,
see that any revisions are implemented.
``(4) If the managing agent fails to meet the requirements
of this section the Secretary may terminate the award to the
managing agent.
``(5) The Secretary shall conduct outreach efforts to help
raise awareness of the Mathematics and Science Honors
Scholarships.
``(d) Duties of the Managing Agent.--The managing agent shall--
``(1) develop criteria to award Mathematics and Science
Honors Scholarships based on established measurements available
to secondary students who wish to pursue degrees in physical,
life, or computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
``(2) establish a Mathematics and Science Honors
Scholarship Fund in a separate, named account that clearly
discloses the amount of Federal and non-Federal funds deposited
in the account and used for scholarships under this section;
``(3) solicit funds for scholarships and for the
administration of the program from non-Federal sources;
``(4) solicit applicants for scholarships;
``(5) from the amounts in the Fund, award scholarships to
eligible students and transfer such funds to the institutions
of higher education that they attend;
``(6) annually submit to the Secretary a financial audit
and a report on the progress of the program, and such other
documents as the Secretary may require to determine the
effective management of the program; and
``(7) shall not develop a criteria that discriminates
against a student based on the type of program in which the
student completed his or her secondary education.
``(e) Applications.--
``(1) Any eligible entity that desires to be the managing
agent under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary, in such form and containing such information, as the
Secretary may require.
``(2) Each application shall include a description of--
``(A) how the applicant meets or will meet
requirements established under subsections (c)(3)(A)
and (d);
``(B) how the applicant will solicit funds for
scholarships and for the administration of the program
from non-Federal sources;
``(C) how the applicant will provide nationwide
outreach to inform students about the program and to
encourage students to pursue degrees in physical, life,
or computer sciences, mathematics, and engineering;
``(D) how the applicant will solicit applications
for scholarships, including how the applicant will
balance efforts in urban and rural areas;
``(E) the selection criteria based on established
measurements available to secondary students the
applicant will use to award scholarships and to renew
those awards;
``(F) how the applicant will inform the institution
of higher education chosen by the recipient of the name
and scholarship amount of the recipient;
``(G) what procedures and assurances the applicant
and the institution of higher education that the
recipient attends will use to verify student
eligibility, attendance, degree progress, and academic
performance and to deliver and account for payments to
such institution;
``(H) the management (including audit and
accounting) procedures the applicant will use for the
program;
``(I) the human, financial, and other resources
that the applicant will need and use to manage the
program;
``(J) how the applicant will evaluate the program
and report to the Secretary annually; and
``(K) a description of how the entity will
coordinate with, complement, and build on similar
public and private mathematics and science programs.
``(f) Scholarship Recipients.--
``(1) A student receiving a scholarship under this section
shall be known as a `Byrd Mathematics and Science Honors
Scholar'.
``(2) Any student desiring to receive a scholarship under
this section shall submit an application to the managing agent
in such form, and containing such information, as the managing
agent may require.
``(3) Any student that receives a scholarship under this
section shall enter into an agreement with the managing agent
to complete 5 consecutive years of service to begin no later
than 12 months following completion of the final degree in a
position related to the field in which the student obtained the
degree.
``(4) If any student that receives a scholarship under this
section fails to earn at least a baccalaureate degree in
physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, or
engineering as defined under this section, the student shall
repay to the managing agent the amount of any financial
assistance paid to such student.
``(5) If any student that receives a scholarship under this
section fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (3), the
student shall repay to the managing agent the amount of any
financial assistance paid to such student.
``(6)(A) Scholarships shall be awarded for only one
academic year of study at a time.
``(B)(i) A scholarship shall be renewable on an annual
basis for the established length of the academic program if the
student awarded the scholarship remains eligible.
``(ii) The managing agent may condition renewal of a
scholarship on measures of academic progress and achievement,
with the approval of the Secretary.
``(C)(i) If a student fails to either remain eligible or
meet established measures of academic progress and achievement,
the managing agent shall instruct the student's institution of
higher education to suspend payment of the student's
scholarship.
``(ii) A suspension of payment shall remain in effect until
the student is able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
managing agent that he or she is again eligible and meets the
established measures of academic progress and achievement.
``(iii) A student's eligibility for a scholarship shall be
terminated if a suspension period exceeds 12 months.
``(D)(i)(I) A student awarded a scholarship may, in a
manner and under the terms established by, and with the
approval of, the managing agent, postpone or interrupt his or
her enrollment at an institution of higher education for up to
12 months.
``(II) Such a postponement or interruption shall not be
considered a suspension for purposes of subparagraph (C).
``(ii) Neither a student nor the student's institution of
higher education shall receive the student's scholarship
payments during the period of postponement or interruption, but
such payments shall resume upon enrollment or reenrollment.
``(iii) In exceptional circumstances, such as serious
injury or illness or the necessity to care for family members,
the student's postponement or interruption may, upon
notification and approval of the managing agent, be extended
beyond the 12 month period described in clause (i)(I).
``(g) Responsibilities of Institution of Higher Education.--
``(1) The managing agent shall require any institution of
higher education that enrolls a student who receives a
scholarship under this section to annually provide an
assurance, prior to making any payment, that the student--
``(A) is eligible in accordance with subsection (b)(2); and
``(B) has provided the institution with a written
commitment to attend, or is attending, classes and is
satisfactorily meeting the institution's academic criteria for
enrollment in its program of study.
``(2)(A) The managing agent shall provide the institution
of higher education with payments from the Fund for selected
recipients in at least two installments.
``(B) An institution of higher education shall return
prorated amounts of any scholarship payment to the managing
agent, who shall deposit it in to the Fund, if a recipient
declines a scholarship, does not attend courses, transfers to
another institution of higher education, or becomes ineligible
for a scholarship.
``SEC. 419B. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
``(a) Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to carry out
a program of assuming the obligation to pay, pursuant to the
provisions of this section, the interest on a loan made,
insured, or guaranteed under part B or D of this title.
``(2) Eligibility.--The Secretary may assume interest
payments under paragraph (1) only for a borrower who--
``(A) has submitted an application in compliance
with subsection (d);
``(B) obtained one or more loans described in
paragraph (1) as an undergraduate student;
``(C) is a new borrower (within the meaning of
section 103(7) of this Act) on or after the date of
enactment of the College Access and Opportunity Act of
2006;
``(D) is a highly qualified teacher (as defined in
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965) of science, technology, engineering or
mathematics at an elementary or secondary school in a
high need local educational agency, or is a
mathematics, science, or engineering professional; and
``(E) enters into an agreement with the Secretary
to complete 5 consecutive years of service in a
position described in subparagraph (D), starting on the
date of the agreement.
``(3) Prior interest limitations.--The Secretary shall not
make any payments for interest that--
``(A) accrues prior to the beginning of the
repayment period on a loan in the case of a loan made
under section 428H or a Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan; or
``(B) has accrued prior to the signing of an
agreement under paragraph (2)(E).
``(4) Initial selection.--In selecting participants for the
program under this section, the Secretary--
``(A) shall choose among eligible applicants on the
basis of--
``(i) the national security, homeland
security, and economic security needs of the
United States, as determined by the Secretary,
in consultation with other Federal agencies,
including the Departments of Labor, Defense,
Homeland Security, Commerce, and Energy, the
Central Intelligence Agency, and the National
Science Foundation; and
``(ii) the academic record or job
performance of the applicant; and
``(B) may choose among eligible applicants on the
basis of--
``(i) the likelihood of the applicant to
complete the 5-year service obligation;
``(ii) the likelihood of the applicant to
remain in science, mathematics, or engineering
after the completion of the service
requirement; or
``(iii) other relevant criteria determined
by the Secretary.
``(5) Availability subject to appropriations.--Loan
interest payments under this section shall be subject to the
availability of appropriations. If the amount appropriated for
any fiscal year is not sufficient to provide interest payments
on behalf of all qualified applicants, the Secretary shall give
priority to those individuals on whose behalf interest payments
were made during the preceding fiscal year.
``(6) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to
prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section.
``(b) Duration and Amount of Interest Payments.--The period during
which the Secretary shall pay interest on behalf of a student borrower
who is selected under subsection (a) is the period that begins on the
effective date of the agreement under subsection (a)(2)(E), continues
after successful completion of the service obligation, and ends on the
earlier of--
``(1) the completion of the repayment period of the loan;
``(2) payment by the Secretary of a total of $5,000 on
behalf of the borrower;
``(3) if the borrower ceases to fulfill the service
obligation under such agreement prior to the end of the 5-year
period, as soon as the borrower is determined to have ceased to
fulfill such obligation in accordance with regulations of the
Secretary; or
``(4) 6 months after the end of any calendar year in which
the borrower's gross income equals or exceeds 4 times the
national per capita disposable personal income (current
dollars) for such calendar year, as determined on the basis of
the National Income and Product Accounts Tables of the Bureau
of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce, as
determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Secretary.
``(c) Repayment to Eligible Lenders.--Subject to the regulations
prescribed by the Secretary by regulation under subsection (a)(6), the
Secretary shall pay to each eligible lender or holder for each payment
period the amount of the interest that accrues on a loan of a student
borrower who is selected under subsection (a).
``(d) Application for Repayment.--
``(1) In general.--Each eligible individual desiring loan
interest payment under this section shall submit a complete and
accurate application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
``(2) Failure to complete service agreement.--Such
application shall contain an agreement by the individual that,
if the individual fails to complete the 5 consecutive years of
service required by subsection (a)(2)(E), the individual agrees
to repay the Secretary the amount of any interest paid by the
Secretary on behalf of the individual.
``(e) Treatment of Consolidation Loans.--A consolidation loan made
under section 428C of this Act, or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan
made under part D of title IV of this Act, may be a qualified loan for
the purpose of this section only to the extent that such loan amount
was used by a borrower who otherwise meets the requirements of this
section to repay--
``(1) a loan made under section 428 or 428H of this Act; or
``(2) a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, made under part D of title IV of
this Act.
``(f) Prevention of Double Benefits.--No borrower may, for the same
service, receive a benefit under both this section and--
``(1) any loan forgiveness program under title IV of this
Act; or
``(2) subtitle D of title I of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.).
``(g) Definitions.--As used in this section--
``(1) the term `high need local educational agency' has the
same meaning given such term in section 201(b)(4); and
``(2) the term `mathematics, science, or engineering
professional' means a person who--
``(A) holds a baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral
degree (or a combination thereof) in science,
mathematics, or engineering; and
``(B) works in a field the Secretary determines is
closely related to that degree, which shall include
working as a professor at a two- or four-year
institution of higher education.
``SEC. 419C. MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION COORDINATING COUNCIL
GRANTS.
``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section include--
``(1) supporting programs that encourage students to enroll
in and successfully complete baccalaureate and advanced degrees
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
``(2) achieving the common objective of organizing,
leading, and implementing State-based reform agendas that
support the continuing improvement of mathematics and science
education;
``(3) improving collaboration in a State among the State
educational agency, 2-year and 4-year institutions of higher
education, and the business community through the development
or improvement of a coordinating council; and
``(4) supporting regional workshops designed to permit the
sharing of successful research-based strategies to improve the
achievement of students in mathematics and science.
``(b) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
``(1) the term `eligible State' means--
``(A) the Governor of a State; or
``(B) in the case of a State for which the
constitution or laws of the State designate an
individual, entity, or agency in the State, other than
the Governor, to be responsible for coordination among
segments of the State's educational systems, such
individual, entity, or agency.
``(2) the term `mathematics and science education
coordinating council' means an organization that is charged by
a State with coordinating mathematics and science education in
the State. Such a council shall be composed of education,
business, and community leaders working together to increase
student participation and academic achievement in mathematics
and science.
``(c) State Grants.--From amounts authorized under section 419D for
this section, the Secretary is authorized to use not more than
$5,000,000 to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible States
for the purpose of carrying out activities described in subsection (d).
``(d) Uses of Funds.--An eligible State that receives a grant under
this section is authorized to use grant funds to carry out one or more
of the following activities:
``(1) In a State in which a mathematics and science
education coordinating council does not exist, planning and
establishing such a council.
``(2) In a State in which such a council exists, reforming
or expanding the activities of the council, including
implementing State-based reform agendas that support the
continuing improvement of mathematics and science education,
and support services that lead to better teacher recruitment
and training, increased student academic achievement, and
increased student enrollment and degree attainment in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
``(3) Coordinating with activities under part B of title II
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and with
title II of this Act, especially pertaining to the recruitment
and preparation of highly qualified mathematics and science
teachers.
``(4) Supporting regional workshops designed to permit
educators, administrators responsible for professional
development and curriculum development, and faculty of teacher
preparation programs to share successful research based
strategies for--
``(A) carrying out the activities described in
section 2202(c) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6662(c)) (as amended
by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001); and
``(B) otherwise improving student achievement in
mathematics and science instruction in elementary and
secondary schools.
``(e) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an eligible State shall submit an application to the Secretary
that--
``(1) describes the activities the State will carry out
with the funds, which may include a plan for establishing a
regional working group to conduct regional workshops to share
research-based information and approaches to improving the
achievements of students in mathematics and science;
``(2) contains a plan for continuing such activities once
Federal funding ceases; and
``(3) contains such other information and assurances as the
Secretary may require.
``(f) Consultation.--The Governor of a State, or the individual,
entity, or agency in the State described in subsection (b)(1)(B), shall
consult with the State board of education, State educational agency,
and the State agency for higher education, as appropriate, with respect
to the activities assisted under this section. In the case of an
individual, entity, or agency described in subsection (b)(1)(B), such
consultation shall also include the Governor.
``(g) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to
negate or supersede the legal authority under State law of any State
agency, State entity, or State public official over programs that are
under the jurisdiction of the agency, entity, or official.
``(h) Administrative Provisions.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Grants awarded under this section shall be
awarded for a period not to exceed 5 years.
``(B) A grantee may receive a grant under this part
only once.
``(C) Payments of grant funds under this section
shall be annual.
``(2) Secretarial selections.--The Secretary shall
determine which applications receive funds under this section,
and the amount of the grant. In determining grant amounts, the
Secretary shall take into account the total amount of funds
available for all grants under this section and the nature of
each grant proposal, including whether funds are being sought
to assist in the creation of a new State mathematics and
science education coordinating council or to extend the work of
an existing council. The Secretary shall also take into account
the equitable geographic distribution of grants throughout the
United States.
``(3) Matching requirement.--Each eligible State receiving
a grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal
sources, an amount equal to 50 percent of the amount of the
grant (in cash or in kind) to carry out the activities
supported by the grant.
``(i) Accountability and Evaluation.--
``(1) State grant accountability report.--An eligible State
that receives a grant under this section shall submit an annual
accountability report to the Secretary. Such report shall
include a description of the degree to which the eligible
State, in using grant funds, has made substantial progress in
meeting its objectives.
``(2) Evaluation and dissemination.--The Secretary shall
evaluate the activities funded under this section and report
the Secretary's findings regarding such activities to the
authorizing committees. The Secretary shall broadly disseminate
successful practices developed by eligible States under this
section, and shall broadly disseminate information regarding
such practices that were found to be ineffective.
``(3) Revocation.--If the Secretary determines that an
eligible State is not making substantial progress in meeting
the purposes, objectives, and measures, as appropriate,
required under this section by the end of the second year of a
grant, then the grant payment shall not be made for the third
year and subsequent years of the grant.
``SEC. 419D. ADJUNCT TEACHER CORPS.
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to create
opportunities for professionals and other individuals with subject-
matter expertise to teach secondary school courses in mathematics,
science, and critical foreign languages, on an adjunct basis.
``(b) Program Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award
grants to eligible entities to recruit and place well-qualified
individuals to serve as adjunct teachers in secondary school
mathematics, science, and critical foreign language courses.
``(c) Eligible Entity.--For the purpose of this section, an
eligible entity is--
``(1) a local educational agency;
``(2) a public or private educational organization (which
may be a State educational agency); or
``(3) a partnership consisting of a local educational
agency and a public or private educational organization.
``(d) Duration of Grants.--The Secretary may award grants under
this section for a period of not more than five years.
``(e) Priorities.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that propose to--
``(1) serve local educational agencies that have a large
number or percentage of students performing below grade level
in mathematics, science, and critical foreign language courses;
``(2) serve local educational agencies that have a large
number or percentage of students from families with incomes
below the poverty line; and
``(3) recruit adjunct faculty to serve in schools that have
an insufficient number of teachers in mathematics, science, and
critical foreign languages.
``(f) Applications.--
``(1) Application required.--To be considered for a grant
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably
require.
``(2) Contents.--The Application shall, at a minimum,
include a description of--
``(A) the need for, and expected benefits of using,
adjunct teachers in the participating schools, which
may include information on the difficulty participating
schools face in recruiting qualified faculty in
mathematics, science, and critical foreign language
courses;
``(B) measurable objectives for the project,
including the number of adjunct teachers the eligible
entity intends to place in classrooms and gains in
academic achievement intended to be achieved;
``(C) how the eligible entity will recruit
qualified individuals and public or private educational
organizations to participate in the program;
``(D) how the eligible entity will use funds
received under this section, including how the eligible
entity will evaluate the success of its program;
``(E) how the eligible entity will support and
continue the program after the grant has expired,
including how it will seek support from other sources,
such as State and local government, foundations, and
the private sector;
``(F) how the eligible entity will address legal,
contractual, or administrative barriers to employment
of adjunct faculty in the participating State or local
educational agency or agencies; and
``(G) how the eligible entity will provide pre-
service training to selected adjunct teachers,
including the on-going mentoring of such teachers by
highly qualified teachers.
``(g) Uses of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section is authorized to use grant funds to carry out one or
more of the following activities:
``(1) To develop the capacity of the local educational
agency or the State educational agency, or both, to identify,
recruit, and train qualified individuals outside of the
elementary and secondary education system (including
individuals in business and government, and individuals who
would participate through distance-learning arrangements) to
become adjunct teachers in mathematics, science, and critical
foreign language courses.
``(2) To provide signing bonuses and other financial
incentives to encourage individuals to become adjunct teachers
in mathematics, science, and critical foreign language courses.
``(3) To provide pre-service training to adjunct teachers,
including the on-going mentoring of such teachers by highly
qualified teachers.
``(4) To reimburse outside entities for the costs
associated with allowing an employee to serve as an adjunct
teacher, except that these costs shall not exceed the total
cost of salary and benefits for teachers with comparable
experience or expertise in the local educational agency.
``(h) Matching Requirement.--Each eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an
amount equal to 100 percent of the amount of the grant (in cash or in
kind) to carry out the activities supported by the grant.
``(i) Program Performance.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section shall prepare and submit to the Secretary a final
report on the results of the project that contains such information as
the Secretary may require including improvements in academic
achievement as a result of instruction from adjunct teachers.
``(j) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall evaluate the activities
funded under this section including the impact of the program on
student academic achievement and shall report the results of the
evaluation to the appropriate Committees of Congress.
``(k) Definitions.--As used in this section:
``(1) Adjunct teacher.--The term `adjunct teacher' means a
teacher who--
``(A) possesses, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree;
``(B) has demonstrated expertise in mathematics,
science, or a critical foreign language by having met
the requirements of section 9101(23)(B)(ii) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and
``(C) is not required to meet the other
requirements of section 9101(23) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965.
``(2) Critical foreign language.--The term `critical
foreign language' has the same meaning given such term under
section 428K(h).
``SEC. 419E. FOREIGN LANGUAGE PARTNERSHIPS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to increase the
number of highly qualified teachers in, and the number of United
States' students who achieve the highest level of proficiency in,
foreign languages critical to the security and competitiveness of the
Nation.
``(b) Program Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award
grants to institutions of higher education, in partnership with one or
more local educational agencies, to establish teacher preparation
programs in critical foreign languages, and activities that will enable
successful students to advance from elementary school through college
to achieve proficiency in those languages.
``(c) Applications.--
``(1) Application required.--Any institution of higher
education that desires to receive a grant under this section
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
``(2) Contents.--Each Application shall--
``(A) identify each local educational agency
partner and describe each such partner's
responsibilities (including how they will be involved
in planning and implementing the program, what
resources they will provide, and how they will ensure
continuity of student progress from elementary school
to the postsecondary level); and
``(B) describe how the applicant will support and
continue the program after the grant has expired,
including how it will seek support from other sources,
such as State and local government, foundations, and
the private sector.
``(d) Uses of Funds.--Funds awarded under this section shall be
used to develop and implement programs consistent with the purpose of
this section by carrying out one or more of the following activities:
``(1) To recruit highly qualified teachers in critical
foreign languages and professional development activities for
such teachers at the elementary through high school level.
``(2) To provide innovative opportunities for students that
will allow for critical language learning, such as immersion
environments, intensive study opportunities, internships, and
distance learning.
``(e) Matching Requirement.--Each grantee under this section shall
provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 100 percent of
the amount of the grant (in cash or in kind) to carry out the
activities supported by the grant.
``(f) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall evaluate the activities
funded under this section and report the results of the evaluation to
the appropriate Committees of Congress.
``(g) Definition.--As used in this section the term `critical
foreign language' has the same meaning given such term under section
428K(h)(2).
``SEC. 419F. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated $41,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5
succeeding fiscal years to carry out this subpart.''.
<all>